CEO Corner: Take the Pledge Today and Every Day

Dara Richardson-Heron, M.D.

© 2011 Ken Levinson

In my September column, I invited you to take the pledge to support the Komen Greater NYC Race for the Cure by raising $250 to help us provide more grants than ever in 2012.

I would like to take this opportunity to ask you to expand the scope of the pledge in two ways.  First, by thinking of Komen Greater NYC when you are considering gift options for your loved ones.  Second, by taking good care of yourselves and following the four important tenets of breast self awareness.

Expanded Pledge #1 — Consider a donation to Komen Greater NYC in lieu of a holiday gift

The donations we receive can save lives, so give the gift of life this holiday season. Make a general donation or a gift that honors or remembers a family member, friend or co-worker via our secure website.

Expanded Pledge #2 —Practice Breast Self Awareness! YOU are important!

Breast cancer is a threat every day, not just during Race season or Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The disease has no boundaries. It’s essential that you remain vigilant about your general health and practice breast self-awareness.

I am always upset when a woman — someone who knows about the importance of breast cancer screening and has the access and means to get tested — tells me she hasn’t had a mammogram in years. If you are over 40 and haven’t had a mammogram yet this year, please pick up the phone and schedule one today. You are important! Please pledge to take care of your health and practice breast self-awareness today and every day. It could save your life.

Except for skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in all women. Because of the many advances funded by our organization over the years, breast cancer can be effectively treated. However, screening is essential, because early detection is critical to finding cancer when it’s most treatable.

There are four simple steps to follow for Breast cancer awareness:

1. Know your risk factors
• Talk to family members and find out about your family health history.
• Discuss your personal breast cancer risk with your healthcare provider.
2. Get screened
• Clinical breast exam — Have a clinical breast exam every three years from ages 20 to 40 and annually after age 40.
• Mammogram — If you have average risk factors, have one every year starting at age 40.
• For those at higher risk, ask your doctor what screening tests are appropriate.
3. Know what is normal for you and consult your healthcare provider if you notice any of these breast changes:
• Lump, hard knot or thickening inside the breast or underarm area
• Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening of the breast
• Change in the size or shape of the breast
• Dimpling or puckering of the skin
• Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple
• Pulling in of your nipple or other parts of the breast
• Nipple discharge that starts suddenly
• New pain in one spot that doesn’t go away
4. Maintaining good general health is also a cancer preventative. Try to reduce stress and make healthy lifestyle choices:
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Exercise regularly.
• Limit your alcohol intake.
• If you are pregnant or a new mother, breastfeed, if you can.
• If you are menopausal, limit postmenopausal hormone use.
5. So, I am asking you again to take the pledge by:
• Considering a donation to Komen Greater NYC in lieu of a holiday gift, and most importantly.
• Pledging to take care of yourself and practice breast self awareness.

Please know that you are a very important member of the Komen Greater NYC family. Please take the pledge today and every day. Doing so will bring us closer to our vision of a world without breast cancer.

 

 

 

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